Description
Apistogramma nijsseni
Common name: Nijssen’s Dwarf Cichlid / Panda Apisto
The Apistogramma nijsseni is a stunning South American dwarf cichlid famous for its bold contrast colours and distinctive markings, especially in females which display a striking yellow and black “panda” pattern when breeding. Compact yet full of personality, this species is a favourite among aquarists who enjoy natural, planted aquariums.
Care Information
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Adult Size:
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Males: 7–8 cm
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Females: 4–5 cm
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Temperature: 24–28°C
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pH: 5.5–6.8 (prefers soft, slightly acidic water)
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Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a pair
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Diet: Carnivorous — small pellets, frozen foods, live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworm
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Temperament: Semi-territorial when breeding; generally peaceful with suitable tankmates
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Tank Setup: Sand substrate, leaf litter, driftwood, caves, and dense planting to create territories
Why Choose Apistogramma nijsseni?
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Beautiful colour contrast: Especially vibrant females during breeding.
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Great for planted aquariums: Thrives in natural-style or blackwater setups.
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Fascinating behaviour: Known for attentive parental care.
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Compact cichlid with big personality: Ideal for dwarf cichlid enthusiasts.
A fantastic choice for aquarists wanting a characterful, colourful dwarf cichlid that displays natural behaviours and thrives in a well-designed aquarium.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DX Express: 1 working day, same-day dispatch before noon 0-75kg
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days 75-500kg
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
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